Why can't 'indoor' cats go 'outdoors'

[Chippychop]

We're about to buy a kitten, the breeders say thy are best kept indoors. But I'm not sure that its normal to keep a cat indoors. Besides my doors/windows are always open... Of course i'd like to know my little cat was inside at night but I'm wasn't thinking of locking the cat flat or anything. What do you think?

[BedHog]

You'll need to keep him in for a few weeks to settle. The main risks are traffic, as a cat used to indoors won't realise the dangers, also other cats, possibly with FIV etc, dogs, garden poisons, etc etc.
If you do keep a cat indoors you'll need to provide lots of play things, scratching posts and comfortable places to sit. Most sanctuaries seem to prefer to home kittens in pairs, might be something to think about if you're out a lot.

[issey6cats]

i should imagine being as you said you are buying a kitten from a breeder that you are talking a pedigree cat, the breeder probably reccomended keeping inside because pedigrees are more likely to get stolen than moggies and some breeds like ragdolls are notorious for having no road sense and so are safer indoors . one compromise could be to build a wired run outside so the cat can go out but not go out of your garden during the day

[thecatneuterer]

As issey says - either it's because of the risk of being stolen or because some breeds have no road sense. It is very, very difficult to keep cats in that don't want to be in though - and you'd be amazed at the small gaps in windows they can squeeze through - even a couple of floors up.

Why do you want to go to a breeder? Why not a rescue? The majority of rescue cats are fine to go outside. If you really, really must get an indoor cat then you should reallly get a pair, unless you're going to be at home most of the time.

And, from an ethical point of view, you shouldn't be paying a breeder to bring more cats into a world where there is already a shortage of homes. Thousands of cats are put down every week because there are not enough homes to go round. If you have a home to offer, then offer it to a cat or kitten in a rescue.

[deliasmithy]

Its unfair to weigh in with ridiculous 'ethical' statements when that wasn't what the question was about. Also that argument about adoption does not make sense as credible breeders are not the problem!

Anyway back to indoor/outdoor -
Some people's views are that cats are different from other pets and should be allowed unsupervised free reign of the outdoors, which means increased fun for the cat, but also increased stress if there are neighbouring cats, the likely killing of wildlife and the risk of the cat being harmed from things like cars etc.

Some people feel that cats needs can be met indoors with perhaps restricted access to the outdoors. This may be true if you wish to avoid the risks above, if the cat is a pedigree and therefore at risk of being stolen (particularly true if un neutered), and if being used for breeding then it couldn't be allowed to roam as it would be in tact. There are issues with being indoors such as greater risk of lack of enrichment, issues around escaping, likely increase to the wear and tear in your home and how that impacts on you and the cat.

It's an individual decision imo but one that should be taken with an awareness of the consequences of either choice.

Is recommended to keep kittens inside until jabs and neutering have been done.

[KateCroydon]

What's ridiculous about recommending rescue cats?

[AintNobodyHereButUsKittens]

If the OP hasn't contractually committed to buying the kitten and wants to be able to let it roam outside then it's entirely reasonable to point out that there are lots of rescue kittens needing homes.

In any case you'd definitely need to keep it indoors until it was old enough to have its jabs, (12-14 weeks) to protect it from catching diseases from neighbourhood cats, and you'd want to supervise outdoors time at first until it's old enough not to get lost.

[Burmillababe]

My three are indoor cats, they are happy little buggers souls and my eldest is now 16. Some studies have shown that their life expectancy is higher if they are indoor cats due to less dangers but it is important to keep them stimulated. Having more than one means they entertain each other (although we had two litter mates who used to work together to steal treats - the boy liked the treats but wasnt good at jumping up, so his sister would jump up and throw the tub of treats down!

[HeffalumpTheFlump]

If its a pure ragdoll kitten they are not supposed to go outside even when they are older because of the temperament of the breed? They are far too daft! They would likely be hit by a car or let anyone take them where they want. They have been bred to be the soppiest buggers and are no longer streetsmart enough to go outside alone! HTH.

[deliasmithy]

Kate and ain't, a question: did I say anywhere in my post that adoption is ridiculous? No. Have another re-read.

[deliasmithy]

And going back to windows, I'm sure when I was younger and had outdoor cats we had windows open and it was fine. But:

My first and eldest cat jettisoned herself out the 1st floor window,, luckily only bruised. In the garden she got very upset by neighbours cat and kept trying to kill him. She kept getting covered in pigeon poo (cue bath time) and ate grass until she was sick every hour. She is now a house cat and much happier.

[marriedinwhiteagain]

A kitten needs to be kept indoors until it has had all its vaccinations and has been speyed or neutered. Probably about 16 weeks. It also needs to stay indoors until it is big enough to fend off predators, ie foxes, dogs, birds, etc.. It is for the kittens safety. That's what we did and they soon became big bold out door cats.